It was supposed to be a hush-hush ‘affair’. I mean, I didn’t tell anyone that I (…). Let’s see, only one colleague in my office knew about it (this was eventually expanded, as it was obvious when I have to leave office earlier on certain days). Hubs knows, of course. And Ibu Ros, most definitely. And my mother. And boys and Mak.

Yes, that’s about it.

Well, guess what? Just checked my office mailbox – HR decided to announce the (…) to the entire corporation!

So much for trying to hide it.

Sheesh.

I’ve just had my second in 4 hours.

Hey, I have to stop this.

Blogging, I mean.

A dialogue close to midnight that, well what do you know, may change the way you look at yourself and the circumstance you are in.

Crabby says: r u ok?

diva™ is in trouble ... says: no .. sigh

Crabby says: u seem to be rather hard on urself. i mean frm ur nicks today

diva™ is in trouble ... says: yar. hee. hum ... i must think positive, no?

Crabby says: yea... n e first step is to change ur nick. it is said dat... sometimes aper yg kita fikirkan tulah jadi doa kita... so pls think positively

diva™ is in trouble ... says: hmm.. u have a point.

diva™ is in trouble ... says: YES! ok .. i will put action into my thoughts.

diva™ is very sure GOD is looking over her ... says: yes .. how's this?

Crabby says: dats better

diva™ is very sure GOD is looking over her ... says: hee..

diva™ is very sure GOD is looking over her ... says: thks vy much

Crabby says: no prob

10.45pm

Here I am, at Ibu Ros’ house, all the way up on the 16^th floor.

This high up and I can still hear very clearly, the croaking of frogs downstairs. I’m not kidding, those are REAL CROACKINGS of frogs. I’ve been hearing that right after sunset, till now.

I recall the scene of many frogs ‘migrating’ on the streets of China, just before the disastrous earthquake very recently. I shudder at the thought of having to walk down the street tomorrow on the way to work. What if I encounter THAT tomorrow?

By the way, in case you have not noticed, I’m absolutely terrified of F-R-O-G-S.

Just spoke to the boys.

Apparently, over at Fort Canning,

it was not even raining earlier.

Phew! Praise God!

It’s raining now. The boys are out on a school excursion to Fort Canning Park. The night before, I’ve already packed for them their snacks and drinks and this morning, I ensured that they were wearing their caps.

BUT I HAVE FORGOTTEN TO PACK THEIR RAINCOATS!

Oh dang! Dang! Dang!

The norm is that I would ‘fetch’ Hubs at TB MRT after work, and then together with Ibu Ros, whom we will meet at KMBN MRT, we would go and pick the boys up. Today (and the days following, I foresee) is one of the busiest days of an Assistant Coordinator. Thus, the following conversation:-

®يازكاتراز said: ayah logoff dulu k

®يازكاتراز said: nanti ibu kuar ibu msg ayah

diva™ said: ok.. nanti ayah wait forever k

®يازكاتراز says: no problem

diva™ says: *best*

YES! YES!

It’s over. It’s FINALLY OVER!

You can bet that tomorrow, at exactly 10.30pm sharp,

I will be seated right in front of the TV set.

Hee.

CSI is FINALLY BACK!

Earlier, at 7.35pm, I went up to Hubs, who was looking over the boys as they did their homeworks.

‘Ayah … Ibu jap eh … a power …’

Hubs, as per usual and as per always, full of understanding ( …) just nodded.

Well, the , which was supposed to be like a 30-minute session stretched up to 4 hours. Sheesh, even then I had difficulty in prying my heavy eyes open. But when I finally , I took on a steaming hot cup of , chewed a couple of and voila! Here I am ..

Ready to take on the world!

2.55am

It’s been a long day, and even longer night (or what’s left of it, anyway).

Will it be an even longer day? I’m really wishing that it may not, and the turn of events earlier have assured me that. I’ve even visualized myself sitting at one spot, without any distractions, throughout the day, going through my to-do list for the next few years or so. Or even clearing up the room, to make way for the addition coming over in the next few days. Do you not think this needed tending to? If not now, then when? Again, I seem to be the only one worrying thinking about it.

But no … there are other plans – plans made known only at last minute – the very eleventh-hour. Plans that do not allow me to have any other option but to participate. Plans that do not provide me the opportunity to clarify why – just why I think the day ahead is so much beneficial to be doing the things that I have just described above … instead of …

Gosh .. I am almost babbling. Probably in tongues that no one could possibly understand. If the exterior is so incomprehensible, one wonders about the insides.

Oh yes, the other day I went surfing - on the net, I meant. Remember that night where I was practically doing everything I shouldn't do, but did, and didn't do that one thing that I should, or ought?

Anyways, I came across the useless +book. Click click. Stumbled into a friend of a friend of a friend of a friend - that's how useless +book is, by the way, despite the fact that I am aware that this one here has taken over myspaces.com ... whatever.

Anyways, coming back. I stumbled into this one friend of a friend of a .. you get the picture, yes? Friend presently is nicely covered up and all. But there are pictures of friend without 'the cover' as well. I don't know if those are prior pictures or taken concurrently (to be frank, those seemed very current).

Anyways, my point is - I went oh-so-uncomfortable when I saw that. Man, those pictures may be prior, but still, now that you are 'covered', why would you want to broadcast your 'nakedness'?

Oops.. I gotta the feeling that someone gonna complain about this. But gee, I do not know, somehow today, my feelings were not really been taken into consideration. Call me MEAN, but I just do not feel like being 'kind' for the moment.

So there!

Tribal Chief was asking me about the school that my boys attended.

It reminded me of a letter that I sent out to the school earlier this month.

.........................................................

In case the print is too fine, here's the real thing:-

.........................................................

05 August 2008

Madam Jameelah

Hanis Montessori

Blk 374, Tampines Street 34

#01-42

Singapore 520374

Dear Madam

COMMENDATION FOR MS FARAH, TEACHER AT HANIS MONTESSORI

We are parents of two young sons who have been attending Hanis Montessori (Teluk Kurau) since mid 2007. Now, both are at the Tampines branch.

We wish to express our appreciation and forward our commendation to Ms FARAH, the English teacher of our elder son who is in Kindergarten One.

Since the beginning of this year, Ms Farah has constantly been in touch with us, either via the Communication Book or most often, via telephone conversations. Her proficiency in the English language is well reflected in her written communications to us. She also regularly updates us on our son’s academic progress and social well-being. Once, she has made the effort to contact us in regards to a concern of our son’s speech mannerism. During the latest Parents-Teachers Meeting (May 08), she has ensured that we would be able to meet up with her, on our own time, since we were going to be away from the country during that period.

We are impressed with these acts of hers – especially since we are working parents and rely mostly on teachers to keep us updated on our sons’ performances in school.

Our boys have attended pre-schools since 2005, yet we have not come across similar commitment and dedication, as portrayed by Ms Farah, till now. She has proven to be an excellent educator, especially in pre-school teaching, as this is a crucial time for any child’s academic and social growth.

In conjunction with the upcoming Teacher’s Day on 1 September 2008, we thank Ms Farah for her commitment and tireless devotion and wish to congratulate Hanis Montessori for having such a wonderful staff on board.

Regards

Mr Yazid Yayah & Madam Zawiyah Kasnan

Parents of Mohd Muhaimin Ihsan & Mohd Ilman Ihsan

cc.        Ms Farah, Hanis Montessori

.........................................................

Have you heard?

Lawrence Fishburne is slated to replace

William Peterson as Grissom in CSI!

ARGHH .. I do not even want Grissom

to go away in the first place.

From http://www.cnn.com > LOS ANGELES, California (AP) -- "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" has solved the mystery of who will replace departing CBS series star William Petersen: It's Laurence Fishburne………..

…………………………………………………………..

49 Babies Die During Drug Trials

Straits Times, 19 August 2008

Excerpts:

…. Mr Rahul Verma, head of the Uday Foundation, said the ease with which clinical trials using human beings are allowed in India has drawn many global agencies … because willing patients are easily available.

…  Approval from the health authorities or ethics committees is needed before they are carried out on humans … but there are no independent agencies to monitor them … even if there are, they are not properly implemented.

… Though all parents had signed a consent form, many were illiterate.